North Korea tests 5 short-range ballistic missiles

North Korea’s official news agency reported Monday that Pyongyang had test-fired several short-range ballistic missiles, confirming what Seoul revealed a day earlier.

The launches, which took place on Sunday and were supervised by leader Kim Jong Un, follow other tests conducted in recent weeks on weapons including ballistic missiles, anti-ship cruise missiles and cluster munitions.

North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency reported, “Five tactical ballistic missiles were launched toward a target area around an island about 136 kilometers away and hit an area of ​​12.5 to 13 hectares with very high intensity, which fully demonstrated its combat power.”

The statement added that the test was aimed at “evaluating the warhead power of the Hwasongfu-11RA+ tactical surface-to-surface ballistic missile.”

According to the agency, Kim expressed his “great satisfaction with the test results,” noting that “the development and introduction of various warheads with cluster bombs can enhance the ability to strike with high intensity to subjugate a specific area, as well as the ability to strike with high precision.”

On Sunday, the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff announced the detection of several ballistic missiles launched from North Korea towards the East Sea, in reference to the body of water also known as the Sea of ​​Japan.

The South Korean Ministry of Defense said in a statement, “Pyongyang must immediately stop its successive missile provocations that exacerbate tension.”

She added that the North should “actively engage in the efforts of the South Korean government aimed at establishing peace.”

North Korea is subject to a set of UN sanctions that prohibit it from developing nuclear weapons and using ballistic missile technology, restrictions it has long violated.